WATCH: Mississippi State senior De'Monte Russell discusses defensive changes
Entering his sixth season at Mississippi State, defensive lineman De’Monte Russell has obviously witnessed a lot of changes over that span of his Bulldog career. Once again, Russell is playing for a new head coach in Jeff Lebby and another new defensive coordinator.
Earlier this week, Russell and his teammates returned to the practice fields to open up spring practice. Following Tuesday’s initial session, Russell met with the media to share his thoughts on the defensive changes among other topics:
Q: What are your goals going into your final year?
Russell: Just being a better leader. Being a better version of myself and definitely more production and just do my best.
Q: Obviously there will be more installs throughout spring ball but what defensive changes have caught your attention so far?
Russell: I would say a bit more thinking but not really. Once you get it down pat it will come to you. But I would say a bit more thinking than last year.
Q: Any changes for you on the defensive line?
Russell: Officially I am at defensive end but Coach (David) Turner told me I am still at end and defensive tackle (laughing).
Q: Speaking of Turner, how is it to have him back as your position coach?
Russell: It was great to see him come back, personally for me, and I know it is someone I can trust and it made for a good decision for me coming back.
Q: After their season was cut short last year, how are Trevion Williams and Kalvin Dinkins looking?
Russell: Pretty strong dudes. They will be heavy lifting and it is good to have those guys back in action. I am excited for those guys.
Q: I guess they make your life easier?
Russell: A whole lot easier.
Q: Your early impressions of defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler?
Russell: I love it. Like I said, there is more thinking at first but once you get used to it, it will be better.
Q: I am sure there will be those battles once the pads come on. But your thoughts on facing a different offensive line with lots of transfers this spring?
Russell: Honestly I haven’t seen anything yet and we will wait until the pads come on. With the pads it will be something different.
Q: With so many new faces on defense, how long do you think it will take to build chemistry?
Russell: Honestly, it won’t take long. One of the things about Coach Hutzler, he makes sure that as a defensive unit, we bond together. Some days we will have a game night and he wants us together as one.
Q: How’s the process of absorbing the new defensive philosophies before you start practices?
Russell: It’s been nice and it comes easy. Our coach (Turner), he’s been in this defense and with him knowing the basics and giving the information, it makes it a whole lot easier. Last year he was new with that defense and had to learn everything.
Q: For the first time in your career you don’t have Bookie Watson and Jett Johnson playing behind you. How different is that?
Russell: It is a whole lot different. But these guys are stepping into big roles and big shoes to fill. I am glad to see these guys work.
Q: Speaking of that, how is it going for John Lewis and Zakari Tillman now that it is their time?
Russell: It’s good. We got to see some what those guys can do this past season. But they are going to be big time and step up, and I believe in them.
Q: Practicing against a third different offense now, how does that prepare you for the next level?
Russell: A whole lot, just having a whole lot of information coming in from the head coaches and the playbooks. It is great for the next level. I make sure I take care of my body and do what all our coaches preach.
Q: Your thoughts on the first day of spring football?
Russell: You want me to be honest? (laughing). But no, I think it was pretty good. Honestly, on the defensive side we just got to keep energy and energy is what we feed off of and what we do. Just maintaining it through the whole practice and not be up and down.
